DURHAM — Most football teams strive to mix the run and the pass. Offensive balance can keep opposing defenses off balance. Few clubs have done that better this season than the University of New Hampshire, which is the only team in the FCS averaging more than 245 yards a game rushing and passing and one of six overall.The emergence of an explosive ground game has gone a long way toward making that balance possible. The Wildcats have rushed for more 300 yards in three of the last four games.For the season they’re averaging 259.3 yards on the ground and 247.7 through the air.“It’s nice to see those numbers,” said sophomore running back Nico Steriti. “It’s a good feeling when you can be that balanced.”The Wildcats lead the Colonial Athletic Association in rushing as does Steriti, who has gone over 100 yards in three of the last four games including a career-high 201 against Old Dominion.He rushed for 126 yards and scored three touchdowns — two rushing and one receiving — in last week’s 44-21 win at Georgia State and was named CAA offensive player of the week.Redshirt freshman Jimmy Owens also gained more than 100 yards against the Panthers to make him and Steriti the first pair of UNH backs to rush for more than 100 yards in the same game since 2005.“I think our running backs are doing a really good job,” said coach Sean McDonnell said. “Steriti and Owens are giving us what we thought they would give us. That was the thing that enabled us to move Dontra (Peters) to defensive back.”John McCoy and Ricky Santos each ran for more than 100 yards in the top-ranked Wildcats’ 24-21 loss to Northern Iowa in the quarterfinals of the NCAA playoffs at Cowell Stadium.No. 12/13 UNH will be tested on both sides of the ball in Saturday’s homecoming game (12, CSNNE) against Richmond.“You’ve got to hold serve in this game,” McDonnell said. “You’ve got to if we want to get to November and have any meaningful games.”“Richmond’s a great football team,” Steriti said. “You can’t sleep on them.” The Wildcats (4-2, 2-1 CAA) have won back-to-back games for the first time this season and will try to extend their home winning streak to nine games.They’re 20-1 in their last 21 home games, including 2-0 this season. “You come here,” Steriti said, “and you’re going to win at home.” UNH plays six of its first nine games on the road before closing the regular season with back-to-back home games against William & Mary and Towson.Richmond (4-2, 2-1 CAA) has won four of its last five, including a 28-17 victory at Villanova last weekend.“I think they’re playing with great confidence,” McDonnell said. “I think they’re a real physical team on both sides of the ball up front.” UNH has improved defensively since a 64-61 loss to Old Dominion in which the Wildcats surrendered 730 yards passing.The Wildcats were bolstered by the return of senior tackle Jared Smith, who was injured against Old Dominion and missed the Delaware game.He forced a fumble and had two sacks among his five tackles against Georgia State.“It was a big plus for us to get Jared Smith back last week,” McDonnell said. “He played about as a good game as a defensive tackle has played here in a long, long time. We needed it.”nnnSteriti almost didn’t come to UNH. The New Jersey native originally committed to Navy before re-thinking his decision.“I know school and football is hard as it is,” Steriti said.“Balancing that with the military wasn’t who I was. So I came here.I’m very, very grateful I made that decision.”His final choice came down to UNH, Maine and Navy.nnnAlthough McDonnell didn’t make a big deal about his 100th career coaching win at Georgia State, the players tried to celebrate anyway.“I’m glad I was a part of that,” Smith said. “He’s been a real big influence on my life. … He really had fun with it. It’s the first time I’ve seen him smile during a game in a while.”nnnJunior safety Chris Beranger will miss his third straight game with a concussion.

Senior cornerback Dontra Peters was a late scratch last week with a foot injury, but is expected to play Saturday.